A vampire and a scientist’s fates are passionately entwined in a race against time in this thrilling romance in the #1 New York Times bestselling “utterly absorbing and deliciously erotic” (Angela Knight, New York Times bestselling author) Black Dagger Brotherhood series.In the venerable history of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, only one male has ever been expelled—but Murhder’s insanity gave the … expelled—but Murhder’s insanity gave the Brothers no choice. Haunted by visions of a female he could not save, he nonetheless returns to Caldwell on a mission to right the wrong that ruined him. However, he is not prepared for what he must face in his quest for redemption.
Dr. Sarah Watkins, researcher at a biomedical firm, is struggling with the loss of her fellow scientist fiancé. When the FBI starts asking about his death, she questions what really happened and soon learns the terrible truth: Her firm is conducting inhumane experiments in secret and the man she thought she knew and loved was involved in the torture.
As Murhder and Sarah’s destinies become irrevocably entwined, desire ignites between them. But can they forge a future that spans the divide separating the two species? And as a new foe emerges in the war against the vampires, will Murhder return to his Brothers… or resume his lonely existence forevermore?
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I have ready every JR Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood book, including the new recruits, and I must say, I never tire of Wrath, Vishous, Hollywood, Butch, Tohr, Zadist, Phury, John Matthew, Quhinn, Blay and all the rest of the Brotherhood, including the shellans, and the doggen, and just everyone in that world. Even the Glymerra. I just know I’m forgetting someone, but you get the picture. This world of gorgeous, sexy, vampires is absolutely the best vampire world ever, and this from a former Twilight fanatic. Anyway, you can begin to read any story in the series, but I’d suggest you go from the beginning and read Dark Lover where you’re introduced to the King of the Brotherhood, Wrath. You will not be sorry.
This is a series that I’ve been addicted to from the start and is always an auto-buy for me. It’s evolved so much since Dark Lover and while I haven’t enjoyed every instalment or every new character, I still can’t get enough of the BDB and BDB Legacy books. This was one of them that I did really enjoy too, partly because I was intrigued to see Murhder brought back into the family and partly because I love Xhex and JM, who feature a lot in this book. I’m not so sure about all these humans that keep getting pulled into the BDB world, or just how damn big that mansion is that all of them can live there, but whatever…still a great read!
~ Claire
J.R. Ward writes the most unique characters ever. The world she has created for the Black Dagger Brotherhood is fascinating, and so thoroughly developed that it’s easy to imagine Vampires living among humans in the town of Caldwell, New York. The Savior is by far one of the best I’ve read. (And yes, I have every single one on my “keeper” shelf) Once again, this is a series that was recommended to me by a reader who swore I would love it and end up hooked.
She was right.
Murhder is a character with a unique history—one of the only members of the BDB who has ever been expelled: for insanity. Now, he is heading back to Caldwell to right a wrong, and hopefully save a life. Dr. Sarah Watkins is a human scientist, a researcher at a biomedical firm where she and her husband both worked. But her husband is dead now, almost two years gone, and Sarah hasn’t gotten beyond her grieving process, nor has she come to terms with his untimely death.
The discovery of information that leads her to believe her spouse might have been involved in horrific, inhumane testing on an unknown species sends Sarah in search of the truth, and that search is what puts her in Murhder’s path.
As the two become more involved, the entire Brotherhood is tested, and the journey that Sarah and Murhder travel in their own self-discovery is taking them directly toward a future of heartache. And yet, with the horror that Murhder and Sarah face, the ultimate story of the book is the breathtaking love that so quickly grows between two people of separate species, and the ultimate power of that love to bring healing. I honestly don’t know how Ward does it, but she never cheats on the basic structure of her world, she keeps her various characters consistent in their thoughts and behavior, and she writes one hell of an amazing story.
I look forward to a day when I have the time to sit down and read this entire series from the first book to the latest. I don’t want to say “last,” because I really don’t want this series to end.
One of my favorite black dagger brotherhood books of all time!!! Let me start by saying that I know this book has been reviewed many times and theirs mixed reviews ,but for me it was everything I wanted murhder’s book to be. My review will be my thoughts and feelings only, since most reviews already told the plot. I have wanted murhder to get his redemption and to be brought back into fold he was one of my faves and what he did so many years ago was nothing that any of the warriors would have done and what the sympath’s did to him was awful. This book as with all of ward’s books is a rollercoaster ride and always leaves me mentally and emotionally wiped out. But this one in particular had me crying on and off alot,so many emotional moment’s and with characters that always feel like family to me. I love the snark and humor and the storytelling is f##king stellar!!! And even after all these years and so many books later every time one of these men of worth get their happy ending I cry like a little b#tch!!! And murhders story was no exception!! And every time they do the induction ceremony it still sends chills though me and I can feel the joy and love and unity of these brothers,it’s deep!! I can’t get enough of this series!! What a beautiful f##king mind ward has, to have so many stories in her head and the ability to bring them to life! Now that’s a thing of beauty! Until next time luv’s
Everything you want from a Black Dagger Brotherhood book!
Up until now, we’ve only ever gotten glimpses of Murhder and his life. There’s never been much substance, just intriguing little snippets to entice and tease us when others spoke of the disgraced Brother who lost his mind. What can I say, apart from the build up lived up to the hype.
Murhder struggles not only with madness but guilt, guilt that he was unable to save the life of a woman who’s haunted him for over 20-years. Before he seeks Oblivion in the fade, once more he must step out of the shadows.
With a new danger lurking in the background which threatens not only the lives of the vampires but also their ability to stay hidden, once again the road to true love is anything but smooth.
Sarah is an intelligent, likeable leading lady with her feisty attitude and strong moral compass. One who’s not afraid to go after for what she wants. Reminiscent in many ways of Mary and Doc Jane.
All I’m going to say is, get comfy and enjoy, you are in for one hell of a ride.
This book has more of the authors writing style of earlier books in this series. No brothers going off the rails doing stuff out of character that they would NOT do. No stupid gansta stuff. I would have liked to see more of the brothers but in the end it worked out. This is a better effort than the last few.
I was so excited to finally get Murhder’s story. A complicated past with Xhex and the Black Dagger Brotherhood make for an interesting story. You see how the other characters are doing and find out secrets. Murhder is back to ask the brotherhood to find a female and her son that were in a terrible situation. Dr. Sarah Watkins is a specialist in immunotherapy for cancer at a place called BioMed. Her fiancee has been dead for two years and she has no family. What she discovers after going through her fiancee’s things will change her life forever. When she and Murhder meet it’s electric and instant attraction. The sex is off the charts and love comes instantly between them. Will they be able to stay together? How will things go with the Brotherhood and their acceptance of the truth? So many twists and turns in this story. I loved reading this book and recommend it.
I took a little longer to write this review because I needed to settle my emotions before putting them down on paper, so to speak.
I don’t think authors realize that there are people out there who read their books and suddenly are touched on deep, personal levels, deep down where they hide their pain and where they hope no one will go. However inadvertently, these authors go there and touch that pain, bring it to the surface and set it free to be felt and hopefully put to rest.
This book was one such book. I know very well what it means to be very alone. To feel that kind of loneliness deep down in your soul to a point where living becomes a thing of rote, not purpose. So having the story of Murhder told in so poignant a manner truly touched me in places I haven’t gone in a very long time.
JR Ward has told the story of a Brother who went mad due to torture he suffered many years ago. He was ostracized from the Brotherhood, left to live a life of solitude for over 20 years, This solitude did as much damage as the torture, as being completely alone is wont to do. The story of him reentering the world is sad and painful and heartwarming and joyous all rolled up into one. What a storm of emotions to go through reading a book!
I went through this storm, and a part of me wants to thank her for giving me an outlet for all that trapped pain. But a part of me wishes these authors weren’t quite so good at what they do, because maybe, just maybe, I could keep a leash on that pain a little longer if they weren’t. Double-edged sword, that’s what these books often are.
And that’s what this book was. When you read Murhder’s story you will feel everything he feels throughout the book. This is a promise. The writing is so descriptive, so on point that there’s no way to escape feeling what he feels. Then add in the other characters that are a part of his coming back into the world, and you have a massive mixture of emotions to wade through, hopefully not drowning as you go.
I can’t tell you enough, JR Ward, you are an amazing wordsmith. You put together words so well that they dig deep into my heart and draw out every moment I have ever felt exactly like your characters do. Such talent. Thank you for the release, I think Maybe just thank you for carving the pathway for that pain to see the light of day once more, if only to purge some of it for a short while. This is by far your best Brotherhood book yet. Excellently Done, JR Ward! Serious kudos from me to you!
This is the newest installment of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. At 17 books (I think) there is always the chance that the series will teeter out a bit. I haven’t loved some of the previous books as much as I did the first books in the series, but this one was pretty good. Murhder and Sarah are a great couple and I love the steam. We also get to see a lot from John Matthew and Xhex, one of my favorite couples in the series. It was a satisfying ending and I’d recommend it.
Murhder is back!!!!!
The author brought back so much in this story and the very reason I fell in love with it.
All of the Brotherhood are on board in this book, however, John Matthew and Xhex play a large part for many reasons. We get a human doctor also who works for a company that is experimenting on vampires?
The narrator brought this story to life in so many ways. Each character I felt like were there talking to me. Fantastic story and I can not wait to see what Mrs. Ward has in store for us next.
I know Murhder was supposed to be the insane one, but I never got that impression about him. He was loyal, protective and a bit of a rule breaker when he was part of the Brotherhood and that protectiveness stuck with him years after he was booted out. He just seemed really lonely. Sort of like being surrounded by a crowd yet still by himself.
Sarah I liked a lot. She was a pistol with her brains and fierce protectiveness. She was also a one-woman mission winging things by the seat of her pants to right some wrongs. Sarah was a great match for Murhder and vice versa, giving each other a fresh perspective and a reason to continue on.
Theirs was a very quick relationship development-I’m thinking a few days if not a week-and I totally bought into it! I loved their immediate connection and loved their sizzling attraction! Maybe it was the adrenaline rush of everything happening, but when these two clicked, it felt right.
Murhder and Sarah’s story reminds me of what made me fall in love with J. R. Ward’s early BDB years ago! The action and twisty plot was great and the romance was steamy, sexy..just really, really good! And those gut wrenching feels-the despair, the hope, and so much freaking love…I haven’t loved a book in the series this much since Zsadist’s story! I’m doubly happy I had a day off, because I couldn’t put this one down!
In the Black Dagger Brotherhood history there has only been one male who has been expelled but Murhder actions gave them no choice. Years later he returns to Caldwell to ask for help. He has been searching for the female he could not save and knows the Brotherhood is the best option of finding her. This leads to the past being revealed, a pretran being saved, and love being found.
I loved this book!! It’s been awhile since I have 5 starred a BDB book (The Shadows). The last few books have made my enthusiasm for this series wane because of some major character actions (V). But this one brought all the feelings and excitement back. I adored Murhder and Sarah! Also we finally get more Xhex and John!
Murhder is one of my favorite brothers now. He is a protective alpha male who is also super kind and sweet. He instantly takes an orphaned pretran under his wing and acts like a father to him. While he is insane, his mind has healed over the years enough to where he can function. Sarah is the key to healing him completely. Sarah is a very smart and kind scientist. When she realizes that her company is experimenting on a kid she quickly sets out to rescue him. I love how determined she was to help. She knows her time is limited but she still helps as much as she can.
“Destiny is not a straightaway. It’s cluttered with corners and all of them are dark. We make the turns we do…and find ourselves where we are.” – Murhder
I adored watching Murhder and Sarah fall in love. While they were destined to be together their relationship was heartbreaking. The Brotherhood refuses to allow her to stay so they are racing against the clock until her memories are wiped. Of course it works out in the end for these two and they get to be together forever. I love that the first thing they did when they came back was adopt the pretran that they saved. He makes a perfect addition to their family.
John Matthew and Xhex are the other main couple in this book. Xhex and Murhder have a past history and that causes some problems between JM and Xhex at first. John quickly realizes that while Murhder does love Xhex it’s as a friend, not a lover anymore. Getting another glimpse at John and Xhex’s relationship was great. In previous books we know they had some issues at the beginning of their mating but no longer. They are a strong and secure couple now who lean on each other. I also really enjoyed the bonding moment between John and Murhder where they spent some time fighting lessers.
“Family doesn’t stop. There is no past tense to family, Murhder.” – Sarah
Now onto the brotherhood. I can understand why the brothers would be mad at Murhder and don’t trust him. But I was really annoyed by Tohr again. He is instantly agressive and confrontational with Murhder, especially after he catches him fighting with John. But when he finds the truth he does a 180 and tries to be a friend. I just don’t really like Tohr anymore. It was heartbreaking watching Murhder find out about the deaths in the brotherhood because that was his family too.
While I loved this book I did have one issue with it. That issue was Murhder’s insanity. He never really came across as insane. He kept thinking he was but never actually acted insane. So I wish this had been portrayed a little better.
Overall, I really loved this book. It brought me back to the core of why I loved this series and makes me excited to continue.
Can’t believe this is number 17 and everyone I have devoured, now I can’t wait for the next one. JR Ward has a unique way of telling you a story about her beloved vampires that to me is irresistible, I feel I know them all personally. In addition to that her wit, the banter between the brothers, the love they exude, the loyalty and compassion is heartfelt.
I am so glad we finally get to hear Murhders story. He has been talked about in tidbits in several books and now the mystery of him is unraveled, and he has a love with the strong Dr. Sarah Watkins. Sarah will be an amazing addition to the family.
So glad for John Mathew, and the feisty Xhex, can now breathe easily. I hope I haven’t said to much don’t want spoilers. Just know this story is fantastic and the story wouldn’t be the same if Jim Frangione didn’t tell it, to me he is part of the brotherhood.
I have been waiting for Murhder’s book, for literally years. When you wait so long for something, you start to have expectations, and with all of that time on your hands? Expectations become a lot. I’m so happy to say that The Savior lived up to every single one.
Murhder just easily became one of my top 5 Brothers. His personal journey, his struggles to regain himself, was heroic and heartbreaking at the same time. Sarah was equally as brave, and I loved how she handled not only herself, but the world she was thrust upon. Together they became one of my favorite couples in the series, and I can’t wait to see more of them.
I always liked John Mathew, but I never really loved him, until now. We get to see a JM who we really haven’t seen before, we get just JM. It was really the first time in the series I was able to focus on him as a character and not think of him as Darius reincarnated. Even though so much of D shines through him in this book.
I think my favorite thing in The Savior is the bromance between JM and Murhder. They should of been at each others throats, but I think for the first time, even unconsciously, Murhder recognizes JM as Darius reincarnated. After all the BS is said and done, they fall into an easy rhythm and that gave such insight into not only Murhder, but of the kind of friendship he shared with D, and the kind of person D evolved into as JM.
With the appearance of a long awaited foe, it’s gong to be a long year for The Sinner.
Reread edit 04/13/19: Yes, I immediately reread The Savior as soon as I finished it because it was just. That. Good. This time around I did the audio and as per usual Jim Frangione (sp?) did an amazing job. I really took my time on my reread and I caught a few things that I missed the first time around. I enjoyed it just as much. Murhder really is one of my favorites.
This book is awesome ,i have the whole set ,wonderful characters, cannot put book down,its a must read.
I have been waiting for Murhdur’s book, and it did not disappoint.
I love this Vampire series. Ward briefly introduced Muhrder in a previous book as a mysterious exiled brother. Now she’s written his story.
The Savior was absolutely stellar. Gripping, exciting, intense, and emotional! It was everything I’ve come to love about the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and so much more. 6 stars!
I will rate this a five because I really enjoyed the expansion of this world, I loved that we finally got to revisit the Vampire that ran a bed and breakfast and who doesn’t love John Matthew ? If I’m brutally honest I don’t think the sex scenes and passion quite matched earlier books but honestly I didn’t want to put this book down so definitely a good read for me.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from my library and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair